The aim of this new qualification structure is to support learners who are entering the profession to qualify in bite sized chunks. However there is also the opportunity for more experienced workers to come straight in at diploma level and demonstrate their achievement of all the award and certificate requirements as part of their diploma (NVQ).
The award covers the key elements needed for a worker to undertake level 3 responsibilities and be safe with children and young people. It contains both knowledge-based learning as well as opportunities to practice.
The award is short enough to be accessible to those working for only a few weeks a year in a temporary capacity, and should be considered an induction to the role of the playworker. In order to make sure that learning does not need to be repeated, the award is nested within the certificate.
The certificate covers the core of the playwork standards and an element of practice, and will equip learners with the knowledge and understanding they need to gain employment in the sector.
To gain the certificate in playwork, learners will cover the award plus the additional certificate units at the same level. This qualification aims to prepare people to work in the sector, in order that they can gain competence through practice and progress to the diploma.
The diploma covers all of the necessary playwork national occupational standards, and is considered a full qualification for both funding and regulatory requirements for the Early Years and Childcare Registers.
The qualification also reflects wider aspects of working with children and young people which are appropriate to the playworker’s role at this level.
The Diploma (NVQ) is so-called because it contains assessment of performance against agreed standards and, through this, provides evidence that the holder is competent.
Please note that the CWDC Level 3 Diploma in Work with Children and Young People is not a playwork qualification, as it has been designed for people working in early years, social care and learning and development i.e. those sectors in the CWDC footprint.
It does not cover the playwork principles nor does it reflect the playwork approach to work with children and young people. However, we have used three of the most relevant core units from the CWDC Diploma in our level 3 qualifications, and will continue to work with CWDC to identify ways in which recognition of our respective qualifications can be achieved.
For information on the CWDC Diploma in Work with Children and Young people, visit the CWDC website for more details.
For more information on playwork qualifications, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
The aim of this new qualification structure is to support learners who are entering the profession to qualify in bite sized chunks. However there is also the opportunity for more experienced workers to come straight in at diploma level and demonstrate their achievement of all the Award and Certificate requirements as part of their diploma.
The award covers the key elements needed for a worker to undertake level 2 responsibilities and be safe with children and young people.
It contains both knowledge-based learning as well as opportunities to practice. It is short enough to be accessible to those working for only a few weeks a year in a temporary capacity, and should be considered an induction to the role of the playworker. In order to make sure that learning does not need to be repeated, the award is nested within the certificate.
The certificate covers the core of the playwork standards and an element of practice, and will equip learners with the knowledge and understanding they need to gain employment in the sector.
To gain the certificate in playwork, learners will cover the award plus the additional certificate units at the same level. This qualification aims to prepare people to work in the sector, in order that they can gain competence through practice and progress to the diploma.
The diploma covers all of the necessary playwork national occupational standards to be considered a full qualification for funding and regulatory requirements for the Early Years and Childcare Registers.
It reflects the aspects of the work common to all that work with children and young people and which are appropriate to the playworker’s role at this level.
The Diploma (NVQ) is so-called because it contains assessment of performance against agreed standards and, through this, provides evidence that the holder is competent.
For more information on playwork qualifications, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Download the full suite as a zip file or individual units below.
21/09/2010
21/09/2010
PW20 Work with other organisations agencies and professionals Final Version Approved July 2010
21/09/2010
A321 Provide learning opportunities for colleagues Final Version Approved July 2010
21/09/2010
21/09/2010
A322 Provide leadership in your area of responsability Final Version Approved July 2010
21/09/2010
A28 Obtain additional finance for the organisation Final Version Approved July 2010
21/09/2010
21/09/2010
A42 Provide information to support decision making Final Version Approved July 2010
21/09/2010
PW19 Manage and develop play facilities and services Final Version Approved July 2010
21/09/2010
A29 Manage finance for your area of responsability Final Version Approved July 2010
21/09/2010
PW38 Implement contemporary frameworks within a play context Final Version Approved July 2010
21/09/2010
A337 Support individuals to develop and maintain their performance Final Version Approved July 2010
21/09/2010
A319 Recruit select and keep colleagues Final Version Approved July 2010
21/09/2010
D16 Establish and develop working relationships Final Version Approved July 2010
21/09/2010
PW21 Develop and implement procedures to safeguard children and ... Final Version Approved July 2010
21/09/2010
21/09/2010
PW10 Reflect on and develop practice Final Version Approved July 2010
21/09/2010
PW17 Develop manage and review operational plans for play provision Final Version Approved July 2010
21/09/2010
PW18 Obtain the facilities and services required for play provision Final Version Approved July 2010
21/09/2010
For a category 1C submission to be considered for endorsement it must map to the relevant units from the national occupational standards (NOS) in playwork at the appropriate level.
The training provider is required to map the whole of their course to the relevant performance criteria and knowledge requirements within the selected units of the NOS.
Each unit of the standards is divided into two main parts:
Performance Criteria - these describe what the participant should be able to do on successful completion of the training.
Knowledge Requirements - these show what knowledge the participant needs in order to meet the performance criteria.
When completing the mapping toolkit, you must direct the reviewer to where they can find the knowledge or performance criteria within the course that is being submitted. This could relate to a page number in a participant’s information pack or trainer information pack, slides, and parts of the assessment, case studies, or home study. The reference must specifically be to a page or slide number to help guide the reviewer.
Download the relevant NOS:
National occupational standards (NOS) are clear statements that describe the skills, knowledge & understanding needed for a particular role or function in employment. Applying the above definition to the ‘field’, there is now sector agreement on what needs to be done, known and understood when operating in a range of roles within the outdoor sector. More importantly, these are expressed in clear, plain English statements, which define the outcomes of competent performance expected by employers.
NOS are not standalone qualifications, and they certainly do not and cannot replace national governing body technical qualifications. For those instructing adventurous outdoor activities, knowledge of the relevant legal, regulatory and technical requirements for the activity is a must. The NOS are written with all organisations in mind. Employees can be salaried staff or unpaid volunteers – competent performance is required of both!
NOS have many uses. Some of the more common ones are: as a basis for job descriptions, job evaluations, training programmes and assessment programmes. Nationally accredited, vocationally-related qualifications also have to be mapped against the relevant NOS. Although a tool in their own right, commonly they form a platform for other ‘products’.
The activity leadership standards are the ‘entry level’ NOS for those working in the outdoors. They are suitable for those involved in the outdoors, sports and recreational activity leadership, and define the standards required for planning, delivering and evaluating generic activity sessions.
View the activity leadership standards 
The outdoor programmes standards primarily cover those working (or volunteering) in the outdoor recreation, education or development training fields. They describe the skills, knowledge and understanding required by a typical instructor running outdoor programmes, often, but not exclusively, in an outdoor centre context. The standards reference NGB guidelines and qualifications, but do not describe the specifics of technical skills needed in addition to those of the instructor.
View the outdoor programmes standards
Expedition leadership and management is the first set of employer defined standards for the expedition sub-sector. The standards are occupational and relate to the individual, unlike British Standard BS8848 which defines the standards for organisations running expeditions to follow.
View the Expedition leadership and management standards
The outdoor sector senior roles NOS is a new suite of occupational standards created for those working with, or within, the outdoors sector. They are particularly relevant to the outdoor recreation / education / development training sub-sectors and those undertaking managerial, supervisory and senior practitioner roles.
An introductory document is available for download to complement the new suite; this will help to plant some ideas about using NOS, and will assist those new to occupational standards to maximise the value of the benefits available. The document also contains definitions of key terms used in the suite.
Download the full suite as a zip file or individual units below.
PW42 Contribute to the operation of an indoor play centre
07/12/2012
21/09/2010
PW28 Contribute to supporting disabled children and young people......
21/09/2010
PW25 Contribute to providing food and drink in the play environment Final Version Approved July 2010
21/09/2010
PW34 Work with children and young people to create play spaces Final Version Approved July 2010
21/09/2010
PW30 Carry out playwork in a school setting Final Version Approved July 2010
21/09/2010
PW29 Interact with Parents and Carers in the play setting Final Version Approved July 2010
21/09/2010
21/09/2010
PW31 Contribute to the administration of the play environment Final Version Approved July 2010
21/09/2010
PW36 Help to improve your own practice Final Version Approved July 2010
21/09/2010
PW33 Support relationships in the play environment Final Version Approved July 2010
21/09/2010
PW26 Facilitate a specific play opportunity at children or young ... Final Version Approved July 201
21/09/2010
21/09/2010
D41 Help to plan and prepare a session final June 2009
29/03/2010
C11 Help to provide equipment for activities final June 2009
29/03/2010
C35 Deal with accidents and emergencies final June 2009
29/03/2010
C21 Help to maintain facility areas final June 2009
29/03/2010
C260 Help to maintain activity equipment final June 2009
29/03/2010
Sport and Active Leisure full suite
29/03/2010
D42 Lead an activity within a session final June 2009
29/03/2010
All level 1 NOS in active leisure and learning
29/03/2010
D15 Help to give good levels of service to participants and customers final June 2009
29/03/2010
Contact SkillsActive | Work for SkillsActive | Our Board | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Accessibility
SkillsActive UK is a registered charity no. 1098336 and a company limited by guarantee registered in
England and Wales no. 4661021, registered office Castlewood House, 77-91 New Oxford Street, London, WC1A 1DG.
© 2013 SkillsActive
